Following the decade of the 70s stars competing on the Snowman – the 80s Snowman Rallies were no less exciting – with a host of legendary Scottish Rally names regularly appearing in the latest Rally Cars – Clubmen also had more entry slots and entries were very healthy, with lots of local media attention.

The British Championship also strengthened its position as the premier home international series – giving spectators in the Highlands regular summertime opportunities to watch the starts on the traditional Snowman stages of the decade.

During the mid 80s the development of Group B cars generated huge interest in rallying globally – and such cars also appeared through the decade on the Snowman Rally – and the high profile of the sport helped increase spectator numbers for all events.

The decade brought high levels of attention to drivers with names would become legend in Scottish Rallying – Heggie, Wood, Grierson, Gillanders, Gallagher, Girvans, Riach, Munro, Clark, Smith, Buckley - to name just a few – in fact the list could go on as an entry in itself!..

However, 1987 would see the arrival of a Scottish superstar in the making – starting from a lowly position of 105 in an unassuming Sunbeam 1600. During this decade another star in the making would drive on the Snowman also – eventually swapping his driving gloves for the roadbook – the 80s saw the combination of McRae and Ringer come together – both Snowman competitors who would later go on to World Championship success. Interestingly no McRae has ever won the Snowman.. Yet!

The Snowman itself lived up to its formidable reputation – the 80s event starting the decade off with deep snow and treacherous conditions – the sun did shine sometimes but still with frosty conditions.